The Minnesota Timberwolves are dealing with more than just a tough loss after Game 3 against the San Antonio Spurs. Following the 115-108 defeat in the NBA Playoffs, Chris Finch openly criticized veteran referee Tony Brothers over a heated sideline interaction that quickly became one of the night’s biggest talking points.
Tony Brothers had to be held back after this interaction with Chris Finch 😳 pic.twitter.com/9QBYzuPxgn
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) May 9, 2026
Speaking to Babu Social Network’s Nadine Babu, the Timberwolves coach did not hold back. “Pretty unprofessional. I called it three seconds earlier, and I wanted to time out and I said ‘I want my three seconds back.’ He clearly heard me, he flipped my way, they ignored me, went on with the play. It almost cost as a turnover. So, and then, you know, he lost it. Then I went to ask him where the ball was going to be taken in, and he screamed at me for that.”
Chris Finch on the confrontation with Tony Brothers: Pretty unprofessional. I called it three seconds earlier, and I wanted to time out and I said “I want my three seconds back”. He clearly heard me, he flipped my way, they ignored me, went on with the play. It almost cost as a… https://t.co/cPE9CRyRka pic.twitter.com/86xLdf0o11
— Nadine Babu (@NadineBabu) May 9, 2026
The Timberwolves coach then delivered the sharpest line of the exchange. “Completely unprofessional behavior by him.”
Under the Target Center lights, the tension was impossible to miss. The Timberwolves crowd reacted instantly as Tony Brothers appeared to lunge toward Finch before others stepped in to calm the situation. Emotional, chaotic, and playoff basketball at its rawest.
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Timberwolves frustration grows after Game 3 loss
The frustration made sense. Minnesota had chances late but could not fully recover after defensive breakdowns and costly possessions in the fourth quarter. The Spurs stayed composed but the Timberwolves did not.
Now, the series pressure rises even higher. Chris Finch’s comments will likely draw league attention, especially after video of the confrontation spread rapidly online. Meanwhile, the Timberwolves must quickly refocus before the series slips further away.
That's the challenge of the NBA Playoffs. Every possession matters. Every emotion gets amplified, especially when trailing 1-2. Now, all eyes shift to how the Timberwolves respond in Game 4
The Minnesota Timberwolves are dealing with more than just a tough loss after Game 3 against the San Antonio Spurs. Following the 115-108 defeat in the NBA Playoffs, Chris Finch openly criticized veteran referee Tony Brothers over a heated sideline interaction that quickly became one of the night’s biggest talking points.